Italy–Africa: 9th Edition of the Italy–Africa Business Week Opens at the Farnesina with Vice Minister Cirielli

Press release

 

Rome, 4 March 2026 –The opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the Italy–Africa Business Week (IABW) took place today in the International Conference Hall of the Farnesina. The initiative is a platform for political and economic dialogue between Italy and African countries, promoted by the Association Le Réseau in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration. The event officially marks the start of three days of strategic discussions aimed at strengthening the Euro-African partnership, with a focus on economic cooperation, sustainable investment and commercial diplomacy. Following today’s institutional session, the programme will continue on 5 and 6 March at the Villa Aurelia Conference Centre with thematic forums, sectoral workshops, and B2B and B3B meetings bringing together companies, institutions and key stakeholders.

 

The opening session featured remarks by Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with Laura Lungarotti, Director of the Resource Mobilization Division at the International Organization for Migration and Cléophas Adrien Dioma, President of the Association Le Réseau. In his address, Deputy Minister Cirielli reaffirmed the depth of the historical, cultural and social ties linking Italy and the countries of the African continent. He stressed the importance of building a structured and balanced partnership centred on the pillars of sustainable development. The relationship, he noted, goes beyond cooperation alone: Africa has the potential to be the continent of the future.

 

Lungarotti highlighted the importance of investing in human capital development, mobility, and education, key pillars of the IOM’s work, pointing out that the Mattei Plan represents a concrete opportunity to strengthen markets and support economic growth across African countries. For Cléophas Adrien Dioma, it is equally important not to overlook the strategic role played by diasporas, which act as natural bridges between societies, peoples and cultures, capable of fostering connections, exchanges and shared opportunities between countries of origin and host countries.

 

During the second panel, Lorenzo Ortona underlined the role of diasporas while outlining the priorities and operational tools of the Mission Structure. Andrea De Marco (UNIDO) emphasised the importance of sustainable industrial development and skills transfer. From the business perspective, Francesco Tramontin (Ferrero) and Patrizia Mauro (Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo) illustrated the contribution of the Italian production system to strengthening local value chains and promoting responsible, long-term investment.

 

Completing the discussion, Marco Riccardo Rusconi (AICS) highlighted the role of development cooperation in generating both economic and social impact. Nguéto Tiraina Yambaye and Francesco Masera (CDP) focused on banking and financial instruments that support internationalisation, stressing the need to facilitate access to credit, strengthen partnerships between European and African financial institutions, and reduce risk in order to encourage new investment flows.

 

Throughout the discussions, a strong consensus emerged on the need to reinforce structured economic cooperation capable of combining responsible investment, skills transfer, and shared growth. Particular attention was given to the role of businesses, young people, and women’s entrepreneurship as key drivers of sustainable development.

 

The programme of the Italy–Africa Business Week will move into its core sessions over the next two days at the Villa Aurelia Conference Centre. On 5 March, the agenda will feature plenary roundtables dedicated to the role of partnerships and diasporas, economic cooperation, financial tools for internationalisation and investment opportunities in key sectors, alongside thematic discussions on women’s leadership and sustainable textile development.

 

On 6 March, the focus will shift to vocational training, space, fashion, sustainable agriculture and innovative energy strategies, as well as a busy schedule of B2B and B3B meetings aimed at building concrete partnerships.